NEW DELHI: The Army has re-deployed its troops to strengthen the counter-infiltration grid along the Line of Control with Pakistan as well as step up its counter-terrorism operations in the hinterland Jammu and Kashmir, even as paramilitary forces have stepped up their presence in “civilian areas” as a safeguard against the continuing turmoil being witnessed in the strife-torn state.
With south Kashmir emerging as “a major trouble spot”, officials said there has been a re-deployment of security forces to thwart “nefarious designs” being fomented from across the border.
Consequentially, some additional troops have also been deployed into the Valley. “The CRPF personnel deployed for the Amarnath Yatra, for instance, have been re-deployed in the Valley,” said an official. This came on a day when Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag briefed home minister Rajnath Singh about the internal security situation in J&K. “The security forces and intelligence agencies have been tasked to identify and target the ringleaders behind the continuing violent protests and stone-pelting in the Valley. The Army and paramilitary will now also work closely to thwart any attempt aimed at creating further trouble in the region,” said an official.
Incidentally, there has also been a surge in the infiltration attempts and “terrorist-initiated incidents” in the Valley this year. “In fact, the successful infiltration bids and the number of terrorists killed have both doubled this year as compared to last year. If around 50-60 terrorists were killed till August last year, the tally already stands at over 100 this year in the same timeframe,” said the official.
